What's More Important?: Learn the Sticks or Learn the Offense

[SpSoloSr]

I've been watching a lot of the pre-release videos and seeing guys really struggle with not only executing ballhandling skills, but also having hard times working through the offenses on certain teams. A lot of bad habits are definitely going to be snapped in 2K11 which begs me to ask these questions:

- Which would be the best to master first, the playcalling and executing or the ballhandling and isolation skills?

- What is the learning curve going to be for not only the guys picking up the series for the first time or in a long time, but also for guys who've been with the series for awhile?

- Do you guys see yourselves more in the practice gym refining things before you put it into competition, or just going through the games and learning on the fly?

[Boilerbuzz]

Re: What's More Important?: Learn the Sticks or Learn the Offense

I've been watching a lot of the pre-release videos and seeing guys really struggle with not only executing ballhandling skills, but also having hard times working through the offenses on certain teams. A lot of bad habits are definitely going to be snapped in 2K11 which begs me to ask these questions:

- Which would be the best to master first, the playcalling and executing or the ballhandling and isolation skills?

- What is the learning curve going to be for not only the guys picking up the series for the first time or in a long time, but also for guys who've been with the series for awhile?

- Do you guys see yourselves more in the practice gym refining things before you put it into competition, or just going through the games and learning on the fly?

I certainly hope it's learn the offense. I'm going to go with that. I prefer a game that values the knowledge of the game more than the dexterity of the thumbs...

[23]

Re: What's More Important?: Learn the Sticks or Learn the Offense

I just played tonight at a good friends house.

Definitely the plays and getting open shots are most important.

The AI is more ummm physical in the final and dont let you pull moves off willy nilly as easy as the demo and just usher an open lane to you all the time

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: What's More Important?: Learn the Sticks or Learn the Offense

The offense is more important. The controls really aren't that different from the past. And if you are new to the series, the controls aren't that complicated, it can be learned in an hour or less.

I mean honestly you don't have to know the advanced controls in order to play the game. However you do have to learn the offense. That is what separates street ballers from organized ballers.

Street ballers may have sick crossovers, but all of that is useless in organized play. I mean why do you think some of the most preppy small schools constantly upset big name schools every year in march madness and in high schools across the nation ?

Because they know the fundementals of the game. Sound fundementals will always beat flashy 1 on 1 play. Basketball is a team sport.

[SpSoloSr]

Re: What's More Important?: Learn the Sticks or Learn the Offense

I just played tonight at a good friends house.

Definitely the plays and getting open shots are most important.

The AI is more ummm physical in the final and dont let you pull moves off willy nilly as easy as the demo and just usher an open lane to you all the time

I'm sure you were playing on a much more difficult level... which one in particular and who'd you use just out of curiosity.

[SpSoloSr]

Re: What's More Important?: Learn the Sticks or Learn the Offense

The offense is more important. The controls really aren't that different from the past. And if you are new to the series, the controls aren't that complicated, it can be learned in an hour or less.

I mean honestly you don't have to know the advanced controls in order to play the game. However you do have to learn the offense. That is what separates street ballers from organized ballers.

Street ballers may have sick crossovers, but all of that is useless in organized play. I mean why do you think some of the most preppy small schools constantly upset big name schools every year in march madness and in high schools across the nation ?

Because they know the fundementals of the game. Sound fundementals will always beat flashy 1 on 1 play. Basketball is a team sport.

Definitely agree, I'm just a little intimidated. Don't wanna develop bad habits but also don't wanna get annihilated every game either. I just wanna be assured that the time and money I invest will not produce frustration and doubt.

[..GameOver..]

Re: What's More Important?: Learn the Sticks or Learn the Offense

I think both are important. I don't see why you can't work on both at the same time?

[Jano]

Re: What's More Important?: Learn the Sticks or Learn the Offense

Learning the sticks is going to be very important as it always in 2K. This game requires you to pay attention to the smallest details when attempting to get past the defender.

You can't just watch and react imo you have to take into account where the defender is and try to use his momentum against him. In theory this seems easy but in game it can be pretty difficult to master.

Its not as simple as ok a crossover would work here I'm going to do it, theres more to it then that. Its once you've mastered the movement (or at least become competent) that plays and running the offense will be important.

To me if you can't properly break down your defender off the dribble or kill him in the post the plays won't matter much. All you'll be doing is getting yourself in the best position to score which is nice in its own right but won't be all that valuable until you learn the controls.

That's how I feel about guys new to the series or those that haven't played it in a while. Getting down the player movement and knowing how to competently attack the defense should be the first thing they try to figure out.

Lol! I know practice mode is going to be my main mode for a while because I haven't really sat down and committed myself to playing a 2K bball game since 2K8.

[Faizon]

Re: What's More Important?: Learn the Sticks or Learn the Offense

Sticks are more important to meeeeeeeee

[2kfanatic]

Re: What's More Important?: Learn the Sticks or Learn the Offense

Well knowing your offense is the most important thing in a basketball or any sport video game. But I would have to say master both because there are instances that good execution is not enough to get a bucket. But if you have to choose one then go with plays.

[23]

Re: What's More Important?: Learn the Sticks or Learn the Offense

Just because you cross a guy in one spot doesnt mean it'll work every single time in the same spot

The last game that sent triple teams on an extra hot player was Inside Drive
Thanks 2k

All Star is pretty fun man but I could see some of you guys bumping the difficulty up even more than that. I'd def reccommend All Star over pro though.

Thing is, you have to take smart shots and stuff and make smart decisions on defense at the same time.

[qnzballa5]

Re: What's More Important?: Learn the Sticks or Learn the Offense

I've been watching a lot of the pre-release videos and seeing guys really struggle with not only executing ballhandling skills, but also having hard times working through the offenses on certain teams. A lot of bad habits are definitely going to be snapped in 2K11 which begs me to ask these questions:

- Which would be the best to master first, the playcalling and executing or the ballhandling and isolation skills?

- What is the learning curve going to be for not only the guys picking up the series for the first time or in a long time, but also for guys who've been with the series for awhile?

- Do you guys see yourselves more in the practice gym refining things before you put it into competition, or just going through the games and learning on the fly?

I have the game and when you are cought up in the defense you cant do any moves out of the physical contact, you have to wait afor the animation to go through until you can execute isomotion moves. I feel this may need to be patched because they promised being able to branch out of moves and animations at anytime. Same thing for sizeup, if you launch right it may take a sec or two for your player to react, they still have to finish the combo.

[Flashstriker101]

Re: What's More Important?: Learn the Sticks or Learn the Offense

Depends on what team, Most people will end up doing sticks because they have star player shooting guards on there team that they want to show off with and get to teh rim while looking good

BUt other teams doing have flashy guys like this, like The the Suns...they have good shooters and passers and good play makers...though finishing can sometimes be a problem

[StankonYa]

Re: What's More Important?: Learn the Sticks or Learn the Offense

I've been watching a lot of the pre-release videos and seeing guys really struggle with not only executing ballhandling skills, but also having hard times working through the offenses on certain teams. A lot of bad habits are definitely going to be snapped in 2K11 which begs me to ask these questions:

- Which would be the best to master first, the playcalling and executing or the ballhandling and isolation skills?

- What is the learning curve going to be for not only the guys picking up the series for the first time or in a long time, but also for guys who've been with the series for awhile?

- Do you guys see yourselves more in the practice gym refining things before you put it into competition, or just going through the games and learning on the fly?

Well yeah there is a curve to the 5v5 part of the game for sure. If you ask IMO the demo was on rookie, because even on pro the cpu can give you a run for your money. Defense is much better as far as the cpu AI is concerned..... they'll trap you, force you into bad passes,and if your not too good on the sticks, the cpu will make you pick up your dribble. Although i mostly like to learn on the fly.......practice wouldn't hurt, put thats just me.

[PRAY IV M3RCY]

Re: What's More Important?: Learn the Sticks or Learn the Offense

Definitely agree, I'm just a little intimidated. Don't wanna develop bad habits but also don't wanna get annihilated every game either. I just wanna be assured that the time and money I invest will not produce frustration and doubt.

well see that needs to be more appreciated, on a realistic level. This game is going to make you play "basketball", not a "videogame". The same passes you use to make in the past wont work as much this time. Now you have to think, would i make that pass in real life? Is the defender going to react in a realistic way? Those are the things you will have to consider now when making decision.